You, Robot

This is interesting. A free, open source project to allow people to build and operate their very own internet-controlled robots with off the shelf components.

The Telepresence Robot Kit (TeRK) features one key piece of Linux-based hardware called a Qwerk controller, but otherwise calls on would-be robot builders to use off-the-shelf parts. Qwerk has USB interfaces and controls a robot's motors, cameras and other components. It also allows for wireless connectivity to the Internet, from which the robots can be controlled.

One example of a robot that could be built with the kit is a three-wheeled rover with a camera attached that could keep an eye on your house or pet. Other examples are a flower loaded with sensors and an Internet-controlled teddy bear.

The TeRK project is led by Associate Professor of Robotics Illah Nourbakhsh and members of his Community Robotics, Education and Technology Empowerment Lab. Charmed Labs of Austin also developed Qwerk.

"We want robots that don't just subscribe to geeky notions of what robots should be," Nourbakhsh said in a statement.

It has taken about 18 months to build TeRK, with support provided by Google, Intel and Microsoft.

The Charmed Labs site sells the Qwerk device for about $350. But all the software is available for free from the TeRK website, along with recipes for several different robots. You can build the next generation of robots right at home.